A la carte: Head West to open fifth outlet off North Dirksen

HEAD WEST SUB STOP has opened a fifth location at 2432 Denver Drive. It’s in the former ROLY POLY SANDWICH spot off North Dirksen Parkway. Phone: 744-7990.

KATHRYN REM

HEAD WEST SUB STOP has opened a fifth location at 2432 Denver Drive. It’s in the former ROLY POLY SANDWICH spot off North Dirksen Parkway. Phone: 744-7990.

Expect to see even more of the shops, which offer subs, soups and salads.

“We definitely are looking to branch out,” said Matt Bluhm, who owns the business with his wife, Grace. “We’re looking to hit the towns outside Springfield.”

Head West will return to Decatur Celebration this year (Aug. 5-7) with its deep-fried brownies. Bluhm said he is seeking to sell the gooey treat at other fair venues as well.

The other Head Wests are on West Jefferson Street, Robbins Road, Toronto Road and at Sixth Street and Capitol Avenue.

Hours at all of the shops are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Delivery, carryout and catering are offered.

AMERICAN HARVEST EATERY is scheduled to launch next month in the former JIMMY OH’S spot at Koke Mill Road and Iles Avenue.

Two new restaurants are slated to open in the food court of White Oaks Mall. TERIYAKI JAPAN and CHINA CAFE will flank the existing SUBWAY.

Look for GIANFRANCO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT to open soon at 518 E. Adams St. That’s on the south side of the Old Capitol Plaza, the former home of MANGIA BENE AT TWO OLIVES CANTINA.

MORNING STAR MERCANTILE & CAFE on Illinois 97 in Salisbury has reopened after a winter break. Doors are open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for drinks and desserts until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Phone: 626-2022.

Expect LA LOMA MEXICAN RESTAURANT to open in Town and Country shopping center around the end of March. The site at 2433 S. MacArthur Blvd. had been TASTY THAI and BANANA LEAF.

HAWAIIAN BBQ, 2355 W. Monroe St., is usually closed on Sundays. But it’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today to raise money to aid earthquake victims in Japan. The only thing on the menu today is pho — Vietnamese noodle soup — with beef, chicken or tofu. A serving is $7.95, and 100 percent of the money taken in today will go to the cause.

CENTRUM CAFE, 1370 Toronto Road, is hosting its fourth Princess Tea Party at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. On the menu: tea sandwiches, cheese cutouts, fruit, goldfish crackers and a sundae for dessert. Guests will decorate sugar cookies in the shape of a slipper and create a magic wand. Special guest will be Cinderella. Recommended age is 4-10 years old. Princess attire is encouraged. Cost is $16. Reservations are required; call 414-3197.

AUGIE’S FRONT BURNER’s executive chef, Jordan Coffey, 24, is competing this weekend in the Chaine des Rotisseurs Midwest Regional Young Chef Competition in Cincinnati. The annual event is for chefs under the age of 27.

At the competition, the chefs do not know the ingredients to be cooked with until presented with a mystery bag of foods. They then have 3o minutes to write a menu and several hours to prepare a three-course dinner for four people.

Regional winners go on to compete in the national finals in New York, and that winner goes on to the international competition.

The Chaine des Rotisseurs, founded in Paris, is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society. It is devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table and to promoting excellence in all areas of the hospitality arts.

TURASKY MEATS won 11 awards at the recent 36th annual Illinois Association of Meat Processors Convention. The Springfield business was named grand champion in four categories: boneless smoked ham, bone-in smoked ham, wieners and Kids Choice of Illinois Best Hot Dog.

Turasky Meats, in business since 1949, is on the north side of the Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1129 Taintor Road. Phone: 522-3345.

The A La Carte column is written by Kathryn Rem, 788-1520. It highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Menu items are listed for new restaurants. Send items to A La Carte, The State Journal-Register, One Copley Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701; fax to 788-1551; or e-mail food@sj-r.com. The deadline for Sunday’s column is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Please include your name and daytime phone number.